Singapore [Singapore], July 6: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a Singapore visit, met with the island nation's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Wednesday and held wide-ranging discussions.
A Jaishankar took to his Twitter handle and wrote, "Thank Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen for hosting me this afternoon. Enjoyed our conversation. Always benefit from his insights and perspectives."
Also Read | Jouramajra is new Punjab Health Minister as Bhagwant Mann allots portfolios to new Cabinet ministers
Earlier on Wednesday, Jaishankar also met with Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and held discussions on boosting bilateral relationships along with sharing views on the global situation.
India-Singapore relations are based on shared values and approaches, economic opportunities, and convergence of interests on key issues. Political engagement is regular. The defence relations are particularly strong. Economic and technological ties are extensive and growing.
Additionally, the cultural and human links between both nations are very vibrant. There are more than 20 regular bilateral mechanisms, dialogues, and exercises.
Singapore is India's 6th largest trade partner (2020-21) with a share of 3.2 per cent of India's overall trade. In 2021-22 (April - September 2021) bilateral trade stood at USD 14.2 billion.
During the second wave of the pandemic, Singapore's position as a logistic hub enabled both the public and private sector to source emergency relief supplies such as oxygen- tanks, cylinders, concentrators, ventilators among others from Singapore to India.
Also Read | Work on to hold social media accountable, says IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
The close ties between India and Singapore have a history rooted in strong commercial, cultural and people-to-people links across a millennium.
-PTC News